Firstly, I must begin by offering my heartfelt gratitude to you for your unwavering support in backing our campaign for Jess’s Law. To those of you who have recently taken the time to sign this petition, please know that you will be instrumental in bringing about positive change and saving lives in the future.

Yesterday, we met with the Secretary of State for Health and a team of 11 other policymakers and experts in the fields of cancer and primary care.

Although I have been asked to explain what happened to Jess on many occasions, I still falter and feel shattered when doing so. The absolute devastation and incredulity never diminish.

The meeting with Wes Streeting felt pivotal to our campaign for Jess’s Law; I was both anxious and nervous. I had carefully planned my speech to explain the premise of Jess’s Law, why it is needed, and the next steps.

Despite a tight schedule, the Secretary of State for Health listened attentively and with compassion. I was keen for Mr Streeting to understand that, although we were there representing Jess, we also felt a huge responsibility to all the other young people we have come to know who were also diagnosed too late.

The Secretary of State showed significant support for our campaign. He agreed to bring the right people together to work out exactly how Jess’s Law would work. He suggested a clear time frame, saying we did not want to be having the same conversation in 18 months’ time.

I was both impressed and grateful. I so hope this marks the beginning of a brighter future where young people are listened to. Red-flag symptoms should be prioritised regardless of demographic and statistical likelihood. Always.

Go gently this Christmas. Hold close those you love most.